Yalumba FDR1A Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz 2000

"Some wise old salts regard this as the magical blend that Australia can hang its hat on - dominant ripe cabernet, with a portion of shiraz to add punch in the middle palate. And this extravagant release shows Yalumba is serious about it too. The name derives from a code applied to a 1974 vintage cab shiraz blend that became a trophy-winning phenomenon; and the code name hasn't been used in the ensuing 26 years. This wine, released six years after vintage, is deemed good enough to bear the code, and is showing peak form already. Bottled in fancy packaging with a peculiar silver medallion attached, it's a fitting livery for a superb wine. Dark and rich in colour with bright purple hues, it has spice and sweet berries on the nose, followed by enormous power in a palate packed with blackberry and liquorice that lingers for a long, long time."